FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEKLY FEATURES

Week 2 Injury Update #1 Philip Gentles
September 13, 2005

Mike Anderson, RB, DEN
Separated Rib Cartilage

Huddle Up: Broncos starting RB Mike Anderson injured his ribs in the first quarter of Sunday's game against the Dolphins but even after receiving a painkiller in the locker room he was unable to return. X-rays on his chest following the game came back negative but an MRI done on Monday morning revealed that he had rib cartilage that had separated from the bone. Head coach Mike Shanahan told reporters that Anderson's injury is extremely painful and very uncomfortable but that the doctors would give him clearance to play in Week 2 if he's able to deal with the pain. Tatum Bell would get the start if Anderson is unable to go.

Kyle Boller, QB, BAL
Sprained Toe Ligaments

Huddle Up: Ravens QB Kyle Boller will miss at least one game after spraining ligaments in his right big toe during Sunday night's game against the Colts. Boller's toe was hyperextended when Colts' DL Larry Tripplett sacked him in the third quarter. He remained on the ground for several minutes holding his leg in obvious pain but was helped off the field and taken to the locker room for an examination. X-rays were negative but Boller did not return to the game. An MRI done on his injured toe revealed sprained ligaments that according to head coach Brian Billick will keep him sidelined for at least a week. The Ravens have a bye in Week 3 so there is a chance that we won't see Boller until at least Week 4. Anthony Wright will get the start next weekend and depending on how he does he could end up taking over for Boller on a full-time basis.

Ernie Conwell, TE, NO
Dislocated Jaw / Concussion

Huddle Up: Saints TE Ernie Conwell was having a decent game catching 6 balls for 71 yards before leaving Sunday's game with a concussion and displaced jaw. Conwell was injured when he took a helmet-to-helmet hit from a Panthers' player after attempting to catch an overthrown pass from Aaron Brooks. Conwell did not return to the game but his dislocated jaw was reduced and an MRI confirmed that there was no structural damage to his jaw and surrounding tissue. A dislocated jaw isn't a very pleasant sounding injury but since there aren't any fractures or ligament tears it shouldn't keep Conwell out of action for very long. If he's able to recover from the concussion team officials believe that he will be back in the starting lineup next weekend. We will keep you posted.

John Hall, PK, WAS
Strained Quadriceps

Huddle Up: The status of John Hall remains uncertain after the Redskins' kicker re-injured his right quadriceps in Sunday's game against the Bears. Hall, who missed 8 games last season with a strained quad, was hurt during his third field goal attempt. The team's medical staff doesn't believe that the injury is as bad as it was last year but since it occurred to the same troublesome muscle they are concerned that it could keep him sidelined for at least a couple of weeks. The Redskins are preparing to play without Hall in Week 2 so look for them to sign a kicker sometime this week.

Jason Hanson, PK, DET
Strained Hamstring

Huddle Up: Lions kicker Jason Hanson, who strained his hamstring during Sunday's win over the Packers, was able to kick point-after attempts and short field goals but he was not involved in the team's last three kickoffs. According to team officials the Lions will take a look at a couple of kickers this week in case Hanson is unable to play. The injury isn't considered serious but it could keep him sidelined this week so make sure you have another option if Hanson is your top guy.

Chad Johnson, WR, CIN
Leg Cramps

Huddle Up: Bengals WR Chad Johnson suffered from leg cramps during Sunday's game that required two IV fluid bags to take care of. Johnson left the game on a couple of occasions with cramps that immediately required stretching but he was able to go back in (with the help of the IV's) and he finished the game with 9 receptions and 91 yards. Johnson was very sore on Monday and he will be limited in practice over the next couple of days but he should be fine for next weekend's game.

Johnnie Morton, WR, KC
Concussion

Huddle Up: 49ers' veteran WR Johnnie Morton was knocked from Sunday's game after suffering a concussion in the second quarter following a 30-yard reception. Morton was hurt when he was tackled by a Rams player following the long reception and after being examined on the sideline the team's medical staff decided to keep him out for the second half. Morton's status for Week 2 remains a question mark but the 49ers will monitor his recovery over the next couple of days to see if he will be ready to play.

Patrick Ramsey, QB, WAS
Sprained Neck

Huddle Up: Redskins QB Patrick Ramsey left in the first half of Sunday's game with a sprained neck but despite being cleared to return in the second half by team trainers head coach Joe Gibbs decided to stick with veteran Mark Brunell. Ramsey was hurt when he was sacked in the second quarter but the injury wasn't serious and he was ready to go after half time. But Gibbs wasn't pleased with the way Ramsey was playing and he felt the offense would function better if Brunell remained under center. Ramsey is so upset with what happened during the game that he has a requested a trade. Medically everything appears to be OK but now Ramsey has a lot more to worry about.

Jeremy Shockey, TE, NYG
Sprained Ankle

Huddle Up: Giants TE Jeremy Shockey sprained his left ankle in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game. The severity of the sprain has not yet been determined but X-rays were negative which means that there were no fractures. He does have a history of ankle sprains and he appeared extremely angry following the injury. Ankle injuries tend to linger and can affect a player for an entire season so lets just hope that he can overcome this injury soon. Shockey will be held out of practice for at least a couple of days but his status for Week 2 has not been determined. Check back on Friday for an update.

Javon Walker, WR, GB
Torn ACL

Huddle Up: The word out of Green Bay is that Packers' WR Javon Walker will miss the remainder of the season after tearing the ACL in his right knee during Sunday's loss to the Lions. Walker was hurt during the third quarter when he was tackled by a Lions player following a catch. He was able to walk off the field but after being examined on the sideline he was carted to the locker room. Head coach Mike Sherman told reporters following the game that Walker had indeed suffered an ACL injury and Walker's agent Drew Rosenhaus has confirmed that he will undergo corrective knee surgery to repair the ligament. Walker faces close to 12 months of tough rehab but it will take close to 18 months before his knee is completely healed. So even if he makes it back in time for training camp next year he will likely underperform in 2006 while he works himself back to full strength. Donald Driver will now be the Packers' top WR and Robert Ferguson will move into the starting lineup as the team's number two receiver.

IDP Update

Panthers' DT Kris Jenkins will likely miss the remainder of the season after tearing the ACL in his right knee during Sunday's loss to the Saints. Jenkins was injured in the first quarter when he hyperextended his knee but he convinced the medical staff to allow him to return to the game in the second half. When he did take the field he realized that his knee didn't feel very stable and in the end he had to be carted off the field and into the locker room. Jenkins will likely undergo surgery to repair the injury as soon as the swelling has subsided. Chiefs' DL Keith Simms could miss at least one game after spraining his foot in the first quarter of Sunday's regular-season opener. Simms did not return to the game and according to several officials the injury could keep him sidelined for at least a couple of weeks. Titans veteran LB Keith Bulluck is not expected to miss any practice time after straining his calf muscle during Sunday's loss to the Steelers. Bulluck complained of soreness on Monday but according to head coach Jeff Fisher the injury isn't serious and he's expected to be ready for Week 2 action. Vikings' LB Sam Cowart also strained a calf muscle on Sunday but according to team officials he could be held out of their next game as a precaution. Cowart is currently listed as day-to-day and he will be held out of practice for at least a couple of days. A decision on his status for Week 2 won't be made until later on in the week. Broncos' DB Champ Bailey, who dislocated his left shoulder during Sunday's game against the Dolphins, will be limited in practice this week but there is a chance that he will be able to play next weekend. An MRI done on Bailey's shoulder did not reveal damage to the cartilage and muscles surrounding the glenohumeral joint but according to team officials an injury like this usually takes 2 - 3 weeks to recover from. If Bailey can deal with the pain the Broncos' medical staff could clear him to play but he will likely be fitted with a harness that will limit the motion in his shoulder. Chiefs' DB Patrick Surtain left Sunday's game with a mild concussion that occurred at the end of his 53-yard interception return. The injury initially appeared to be bad as Surtain remained on the field for several minutes. After leaving the game he was examined in the locker room and the team's medical staff decided to keep him out for the remainder of the day. Head coach Dick Vermeil told reporters that there is a chance that Surtain could be ready for Week 2 action, but a decision on his status won't be made until later on in the week.